During the course of his freshman year, he took classes in nonviolence at the Highlander Folk School run by Myles Horton, and attended many meetings promoting nonviolence.
In 1932, Myles Horton and Don West persuaded Lillian Johnson to let them try operating Summerfield after the model of a Danish folk school, thus allowing Johnson to retire.
They included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks (who studied with Horton shortly before her decision to keep her seat on the Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955), John Lewis, James Bevel, Bernard Lafayette, Ralph Abernathy, John B. Thompson, and many others.
Eileen Myles | Willie Horton | John Horton Conway | Horton | Alannah Myles | Horton Hears a Who! | The Reverend Horton Heat | Nate Myles | Myles Standish | Johnny Horton | Edward Everett Horton | Robin W.G. Horton | Myles Horton | Lester Horton | Horton Plains National Park | Horton, Northamptonshire | Horton Hears a Who! (film) | Peter Horton | Myles Coverdale | Myles Brand | Dexter Horton | Conor Myles John O'Brien, 18th Baron Inchiquin | Robert Horton (actor) | Robert Horton | Ray Horton | Myles Shevlin | Myles Pollard | Myles Burnyeat | Miss P. Horton's Illustrative Gatherings | Mary Ann Horton |
The introduction of the Highlander Folk School in 1931 by educator Myles Horton and the movement to bring labor union representation to the region are shown as means of empowering the population.
She is best known for her work with her husband Myles Horton at the Highlander Folk School where she is generally credited with turning such songs as "We Shall Overcome", "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize," "We Shall Not Be Moved," and "This Little Light of Mine" from hymns into songs of the Civil Rights movement.